Kidman/London/Mysterio vs. The Dudleyz
Dastardly Dave:
Who should win: Kidman/London/Mysterio
Who will win: Dudley Boyz
Analysis: The tag champions arent being used properly. Granted, there's
no credible tag division on SmackDown these days but come on...the Bashams?
Give me a break. Rey is gonna be looking to exact some revenge. Maybe Rey,
Kidman, and London could reform the Filthy Animals? Run together. Get some
respect. And bring back a nice memory from WCW. Well...it prolly wont happen.
But I can dream. Oh well. Dudleys in a squash since there's no belts on
the line in this one.
Captain Lou:
Who will win: The Dudley Boyz
Who should win: The Dudley Boyz
Analysis: Am I the only one who loves the new Spike? For all of Smackdown's
faults, they have done a great job transforming Spike from glorified jobber
into a viable cruiserweight. Anyway, I expect the heels need this one more
than the faces, especially since London and Kidman have the tag titles.
Now when will they let London cut loose with someone and put on a great
20-minute match? Jamie Noble would be a great candidate for that one.
Eddie:
Who will win: Kidman/London/Mysterio
Who should win: Kidman/London/Mysterio
Analysis: It's a shame that they didn't announce that match earlier, because
they had a tremendous build behind it, with making London and Kidman the
tag champions, and then doing the Spike Dudley turn, which I thought was
very good. Spike's new character seems pretty cool. Looking forward to seeing
how this one will go. I think this feud is far from over though, but having
in mind that the heels have been in control for most of it, I think it's
time for the faces to get a win.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: The Dudley Boyz
Who should win: The Cruiserweights
Analysis: If the Dudleys win they stay where they are at. If the cruisers
win it takes them up a notch in the fans eyes. I believe if the Cruiserweights
are going to be taken seriously then have them beat "The Dudley".
Jed:
Who will win: Team Cruiserweights.
Who should win: Anyone. I don't care, just end this crap.
Analysis: I'm sick of seeing Kidman/London vs. The Dudleys every single
friggin' week. The Dudleys are getting very stale, and it's just not good
to see the same 4 people wrestle each other in some facet over and over.
But, such is life in the WWE, and it's to be expected.
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: Duds
Who should win: Rey, Kidman & London
Analysis: Can I say something? I HATE THE DUDLEY BOYZ!!! All of them...
Everything they do and say is total garbage and hasn't changed since they
first came to the WWE and Bubba stuttered. Here are three guys that need
to go and train wrestlers or work as Road Agents or something. Get them
off my TV! Rey, Paul and Billy are the young talent that Smack Down constantly
tries to push yet never quite do... (Side Note: I was absolutely shocked
to find out that Kidman & London beat the Duds for the Tag Titles...
Good job!) I look forward to seeing those three work together. I know Kidman
and Rey are capable of great things together and after seeing London and
Kidman the past few weeks on SmackDown I look forward to seeing London LIVE
in the ring with his Cruiserweight buddies. Hopefully I am wrong on this
prediction and the Cruiserweights will take the win...
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: The Dudley Boyz
Who should win: Mysterio, Kidman, London
Analysis: To elevate the somewhat lukewarm Dudley trio, WWE will give the
newly reassociated heels the win, but the faces are extremely weak and need
more than a win, but a win would help. The ball is in WWE's court on how
to move next with the Dudleyz, and they've done a good job so far, but the
opposite is true with the faces, who are underdeveloped to a dangerous degree.
We'll see how they overcome the style clash.
Josh Fox:
Who will win: The Dudley Boyz
Who should win: The Dudley Boyz
Analysis: The Dudley Boyz are all together again just like the old days,
I think to justify Spike's heel turn and create a more in depth fued, The
Dudley Boyz need to win here.
U.S. Championship
Booker T vs. John Cena
Dastardly Dave:
Who should win: Booker T
Who will win: Booker T
Match Analysis: Booker has been jobbing left and right for most of his WWE
career. Its nice to finally see him with a belt again and facing some new
competition in John Cena. Cena's character is played out and getting a little
annoying. Booker doesnt have that many good years left in him. A nice pay
per view win would be great for the Booker Man.
Captain Lou:
Who will win: Booker T
Who should win: Booker T
Analysis: A loss by Booker T would make him look like an extremely weak
heel. Not only that, but isn't it about time Cena graduated to the big leagues
and went after the heavyweight title? Orton and Cena are the future, and
they really should start heading in that direction.
Eddie:
Who will win: John Cena
Who should win: Either
Analysis: This match is a toss-up, since there will be four more following
it. I am guessing WWE will give Cena the first win, because he'll get a
good push that way. A "Best of Five" series might be just the
right thing to get some experience for the young man. Booker T is the man
to do that with, seeing as he has plenty of ring experience, and he'll be
able to carry Cena through.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: Booker T
Who should win: John Cena
Analysis: Booker T is retiring soon and the company wants to try and change
his mind about that by giving him some gold. However, Cena is in his twenties
and he should be pushed because he has the staying power and he'll be the
'E' in WWE in 4 years.
Jed:
Who will win: The black one. Wait, that doesn't help at all...
Who should win: John Cena
Analysis: In a battle to prove who's the most ghetto, we have this gem of
an idea... 5 matches? Good Lord, please have the first match count as 3
so we can end it painlessly. Cena should win, but only because of how they
screwed him out of the title. If that never happened, I wouldn't give a
damn about this match, or the next 4 between them.
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: Booker T
Who should win: John Cena
Analysis: Booker T is a disgrace to the WWE. He hasn't been able to turn
things around since his WCW days and more recently his Title feud with Trips
a few years ago. Booker T is one of those guys that I don't like and I don't
hate. I just don't care to see him. Meanwhile John Cena is still struggling
in the U.S. Title scene. Cena will lose this match (and probably the series),
which may be a blessing in disguise. If Cena gets taken out of the U.S.
Title scene completely he may be able to go for the WWE Title and JBL. Who
would I like to see in his place? Two words... Charlie Haas. On a personal
note, I look forward to whatever rap Cena has planned for the fans in Toronto!
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: John Cena
Who should win: Tossup
Analysis: The pressure is on for Booker T to get a good match out of Cena,
and he probably will. WWE feels that the gist of John Cena's legacy as a
worker is already written in stone, and their focus from now will be on
other things he offers. I am hopeful for this feud to help the both of them
and might restore some credibility to a badly damaged US Title. The first
match doesn't mean much though, going in. On paper, it will help the PPV.
Josh Fox:
Who will win: John Cena
Who should win: Who cares
Analysis: Neither men deserve the belt, Nuff said...
'Till Death Do Us Part Match
Kane vs. Matt Hardy
Dastardly Dave:
Who will win: Kane
Who should win: Matt Hardy
Analysis: How can you have Matt Hardy beat Kane in a No DQ match then
lose to Kane in a normal match? It destroys Kane's image. Its like saying
that Kane can only win when there's rules and thats just ludicrous.
I smell a Lita heel turn. Which would be nice. Add a new dimension to
her character and helps to carry out the storyline a little longer.
I would love to see HBK return and cost Kane the match but I dont know
if that will happen.
Captain Lou:
Who will win: Kane
Who should win: Kane
Analysis: We all know Hardy needs knee surgery. A destruction by Kane
here is the perfect out, and it clears the way for Shawn Michaels to
return and feud with the Big Red Machine. Now, for the love of all that's
holy, could Lita PLEASE get an abortion or have a miscarriage. End this
crap ... now!
Eddie:
Who will win: Kane
Who should win: Kane
Analysis: Kane looks like a joke, following all of this, but on the
other side, it's something for him to do. This storyline has been booked
poorly from the get-go. Anyway, I think Kane should be the winner, since
Matt already won one, and he'll be out healing his injury, so a win
for Kane will do more for him. We'll see how it goes.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: Kane
Who should win: The Fans
Analysis: This match revolves around storyline that has even the biggest
Days of Our Lives fan saying 'That's some unbelievable, twisted shit
with 3 bad actors.' I do not feel this storyline needs anymore developing...END
IT!
Jed:
Who will win: Lita (not the match, but in general. Hell, she gets to
marry someone no matter what happens. She wins.)
Who should win: Matt Hardy
Analysis: I never liked the Hardy Boys. I also stopped liking Kane after
they demasked him. This leaves me in a tough spot, though I'll point
out something I noticed. Lita only did a DNA test on Matt... and it
came back that the baby wasn't Matt's. Interesting, that doesn't mean
it's 'definitely' Kane's... Maybe it's Jeff Hardy's glorious return
to the WWE, by knocking up Lita and pissing Matt off. Knowing WWE, they'll
do that.
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: Kane
Who should win: Matt Hardy
Analysis: What is worse than a pregnancy angle? A wedding angle? What's
worse than those two things? A pregnancy angle and a wedding angle all
rolled into one. Y'know what?! I like Matt Hardy... I like Kane. Hell,
as far as Diva Wrestlers go, I like Lita. But this angle is killing
all three involved. Now for this match I expect Kane to go over so that
he marries Lita and we all are kept interested in this feud for another
month. Matt should take the win just to purely show that his win over
Kane at Vengeance was no fluke. I do have one small idea in my head
that would make this match better. Give the win to Matt but do it like
this... Kane is about to take Matt out when Lita steps in between the
two. Kane shoves Lita aside, knocking the ref down and out. Kane then
proceeds to chokeslam Matt Hardy several times until HBK shows up and
delivers Sweet Chin Music to Kane. HBK drags Hardy on top of Kane for
the win. This starts the Kane - HBK feud and Lita and Matt live happily
ever after. That's how I would book things... But I doubt it will go
down that way.
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: Kane
Who should win: Kane
Analysis: Unfortunately, Matt Hardy had his knee evaluated and working
on it didn't pay off because he needs complete reconstructive surgery.
This is his send-away. Last month the two worked a remarkably good match
considering what was expected as well as Hardy's injury. Since last
month's brawl was a success, I expect a similar style match this time
around with a big angle.
Josh Fox:
Who will win: Kane
Who should win: Matt Hardy
Analysis: Lita is turning heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel.......!!!! Can't you feel
it? Matt Hardy shouldn't even be in a match like this, In my opinon
he would make a much better, and is a more deserving U.S. Champion than
99.9 percent of everyone else on the roster.
Intercontinental Championship
Edge vs. Chris Jericho vs. Batista
Dastardly Dave:
Who will win: Edge
Who should win: Edge
Analysis: Edge is the man. No way around it. He's a great worker in the
ring. His promos are short and to the point. And he brings a nice intensity
to the ring. If the rumors are right, expect Edge to become a heel real
soon. And what better way than in his own backyard, and have Batista help
him brutally destroy Y2J in the middle of the ring. Goodbye fans. Hello
Evolution? Hmmm...Sounds nice.
Captain Lou:
Who will win: Edge
Who should win: Batista
Analysis: This is a tough one to call. I would like to see Jericho win,
but he really is better than the Intercontinental Title. For Batista,
however, this would be a nice stepping stone to getting him where he belongs
- in the heavyweight title picture. If he wins, could it be a sign Orton
will as well, leading to a feud between the young studs and Flair &
Trips?
Eddie:
Who will win: Edge
Who should win: Chris Jericho
Analysis: Edge is on his way to Heelville, if that made any sense, other
than a weird rhyme. He has something going with Chris Jericho, and I'm
hoping they will continue this storyline. I am actually somewhat enjoying
it. Batista is another interesting pick, but he's not ready to carry that
belt around his waist, just yet.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: Batista
Who should win: Y2J
Analysis: Y2J is too over with the fans to be involved with the IC title
picture but if they are going to place him in a match with two wrestlers
'under' him then they should let him win! Edge has not gained the fan
following he had before he left and I think he is getting stale. Batista
needs to lay off the 'roids and work on his in ring skills. He has 6 power
moves and that don't cut it Scooter!
Jed:
Who will win: Edge
Who should win: Batista, because his music is friggin' awesome.
Analysis: Batista just seems like filler for this match.. His place in
the story is there, but there's no real reason to toss him into the title
picture. Edge will most likely come out on top, unless this is one of
the ones where Edge can lose without being pinned. In that case, look
for Jericho over Batista, or even on a VERY slim chance, Jericho laying
down for Batista, JUST so Edge doesn't have the title. That's very far-fetched,
but anything can happen.
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: Edge
Who should win: Chris Jericho
Analysis: Now I know Jericho doesn't need another Intercontinental Championship.
But it is quite obvious that the WWE will not put him into the World Title
picture so why not thank him by another IC run?! But alas, Edge will leave
Toronto with the IC Title in tact to further push him before he turns
heel. Batista ... Why is he here? Because he is heel. Two Canadian faces
against each other in a Canadian City on PPV wouldn't make sense would
it?! (sarcasm) To be honest, if the match had just been Edge vs Y2J, I
think the fans would blow the roof off the place trying to cheer for one
of these two Canucks.
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: Edge
Who should win: No opinion
Analysis: Pretty good promotion for this, and I expect a good match. All
three are significant at this point, so its interesting to see where they
go from here, but Edge is the one they really have their eye on at this
point.
Josh Fox:
Who will win: Chris Jericho
Who should win: Batista
Analysis: Both Y2J and Edge have had their time in the spotlight with
the IC title. I think the big man has earned his rightful spot as a top
contender.
Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero
Dastardly Dave:
Who will win: Kurt Angle
Who should win: Kurt Angle
Analysis: Kurt is back and looks to be in great shape. You know, at the
beginning of 2004, Angle's credibility took a major hit. He didnt win the
Royal Rumble. He was forced to face John Cena and the Big Show. And then
lost to Eddie Guerrero at WrestleMania. It was like he was being punished.
Eddie no longer has the belt so for Eddie to win would be ridiculous. Let
Eddie exact some revenge but come up on the losing end as Kurt's 3 I's lead
him to victory. Whooo...Its true! Its damn true!
Captain Lou:
Who will win: Eddie Guerrero
Who should win: Kurt Angle
Analysis: Angle has always been generous when it comes to putting over fellow
wrestlers, and Eddie could use the win to keep his momentum alive. Still,
this is Angle's first match on a pay-per-view in a long time, and I would
like to see him get the win and continue the feud a little while longer.
Eddie:
Who will win: Kurt Angle
Who should win: Eddie Guerrero
Analysis: I have the feeling that since it's Angle's big comeback, they
will give him the pin, as they do with most returning heels. I'm glad to
have him back, I must say, as he's one of the best this industry has seen.
I hope they continue the feud with Eddie, mostly because the two can put
up some amazing matches together. I think Eddie has been weakened a lot
following the JBL feud, so I would hope for him to get the pin, but either
way works for me.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: Angle
Who should win: Guerrero
Analysis: Angle is on his last leg and I do not feel the company should
invest that much time with him anymore. Neck problems have been getting
the best of Angle for the better part of the last two years. Eddie is gonna
be around for more than 5 years so I feel he should win. It should be at
least a 4 star match even if Angle is not 100 percent.
Jed:
Who will win: Kurt Angle
Who should win: It doesn't matter.
Analysis: It won't matter who wins because it won't do anything for the
feud. Kurt will win via Luther Reigns' interfering. The match won't even
be that good. Angle's had too much time off, and Guerrero just doesn't have
it like he used to back in the day.
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: Kurt Angle
Who should win: Kurt Angle
Analysis: Yet another tough match to call... Either of these two men deserve
a win and either man could come out with one. However I believe that Kurt
will win his return to PPV for one reason. Smack Down needs to propel a
top Heel (and JBL is NOT that Heel)... Not only that, but Eddie really would
not gain much if he loses. He will still be a top challenger win or lose...
However I look forward to this match probably the most since it will be
a good wrestling contest. Look for this to take match of the night!
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: Kurt Angle
Who should win: Kurt Angle
Analysis: Either WWE was trying to take it extremely easy on Eddie Guerrero
physically, which is a possibility since they are paying close to his emotional
state, or WWE just doesn't have it anymore. Reality is probably a mix between
both. Nonetheless, this feud has been bad, and this isn't the way WWE is
going to want to leave it. Based on that, I'm expecting a better feud and
a second match at the next PPV.
Josh Fox:
Who will win: Eddie
Who should win: Either way
Analysis: I think this match could go either way, because i don't see this
rivalry ending here, but Eddie may get his revenge.
Triple H vs. Eugene
Dastardly Dave:
Who will win: Eugene
Who should win: Eugene
Analysis: I think that HHH has proven that he's the best. Theres nothing
left to prove. If the Evolution split is coming, like Ive heard and hoped
for, then having him lose to Eugene would be masterful. Come on, Randy wins
the title and HHH cant beat Eugene. Orton could tear HHH apart on this and
start the Evolution crumble. Besides....Eugene is cool and deserves some
revenge on HHH. Costing him the title isnt good enough. He must fight for
his and Regals honor, and win.
Captain Lou:
Who will win: Triple H
Who should win: Triple H
Analysis: Am I the only one getting annoyed with all the attention lavished
on Eugene? It's too much, too fast. In any case, I imagine Eugene whupping
some ass until Triple H and Evolution overwhelm the lad.
Eddie:
Who will win: Triple H
Who should win: Triple H
Analysis: I don't know. I think I only picked Triple H because a win for
Eugene won't do much for him. He has to go back to the midcard, and perhaps
after he's done with Triple H, that will happen.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: HHH
Who should win: HHH
Analysis: HHH
Jed:
Who will win: Match will end in either no contest or DQ.
Who should win: No one, as this feud is getting stale rather quickly. You
can only see Regal get bloodied so many times before it gets old.
Analysis: Triple H will finally get his revenge on Eugene, but not without
run-ins from Evolution, Benoit, Regal, Randy Savage, and Koko B Ware. Ok,
so maybe the last two won't be there, but it'll erupt into a huge brawl
anyway. IF it ends with a clean finish, Triple H will win and afterwards
use the sledgehammer, prompting the run-ins. Either way, expect it to suck.
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: Trips
Who should win: Eugene
Analysis: Let's face it, nobody wants to see Trips squash another young
talent. But brace yourselves... That is exactly what we will see. Since
WrestleMania, Trips has done more jobs at PPV's then in the past 2 years...
He lost at Mania and then at Backlash. He managed a win at Bad Blood but
lost again at Vengeance. Add that to a couble jobs to Shelton and it is
indeed time for Trips to use his power to get the win at Summerslam. Eugene
deserves this win to really put over the "Rain Man" type gimmick
that has been given to him. And to be honest, the fans absolutely love him.
A win over Trips will skyrocket his career. What does Trips have to gain
from a win here?! ....... NOTHING.
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: Triple H
Who should win: Triple H
Analysis: Logical, if completely odd feud. For a character with no consistent
direction or purpose, especially one who has been despereately overbooked,
I hate to say I told you so, but I did. With that out of the way, there
is still no way to chart exactly where they are attempting to go with this
next. And when in doubt, go with Triple H.
Josh Fox:
Who will win: Eugene
Who should win: Eugene
Analysis: I think Eugene is taking the win here, he is well liked, and contrary
to what others may think, he is a great wrestler, what better way to make
a Summerslam debut other than beating Triple H?
WWE Championship
JBL vs. The Undertaker
Dastardly Dave:
Who will win: JBL
Who should win: JBL
Analysis: There is a slight storyline to this. It just looks as though JBL
isnt going to be able to handle the Deadman but somehow he's gonna pull
it off. Whether its by cheating or outside interference, he will retain
his title. Besides, Taker isnt around enough to carry the belt. Show him
more and have him wrestle more often, and then maybe he can carry the strap.
We dont have the patience for a part-time champion. Sorry Taker.
Captain Lou:
Who will win: JBL
Who should win: JBL
Analysis: The Taker is a part-timer these days. While I don't think he's
going to put over JBL with a clean pin, I don't see him getting the title
here. This should be JBL's coming out party, where the WWE shows they're
serious about him as champ.
Eddie:
Who will win: JBL
Who should win: JBL
Analysis: Heid-Heid-Heiden-Heidenreich. 'Taker as Champ is a horrible idea.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: JBL
Who should win: The Undertaker
Analysis: It should be the standard 'Big Man' match between the Phenom and
JBL. I belive Taker should win cause he is desperately needed on SD! for
star power. JBL is not deserving of the title just because he has been with
the company for a few years. Look at Bob Holly... he didn't get the title
for crying out loud. His gimmick sucks. Period.
Jed:
Who will win: JBL
Who should win: Shane McMahon
Analysis: No one is going to give a damn about this match. JBL, while improving,
is far from being a good champion. The Undertaker has always been one of
my favorite wrestlers, especially with his old school Dead Man look which
he's returned to. However, he's getting old and hasn't really done much
to deserve the title shot. Maybe Mr. Calloway will get hurt, and Shane McMahon
will come back, take his place, and win the title... We can only hope...
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: JBL
Who should win: Undertaker (by DQ or Count Out)
Analysis: Let be honest... This match will put the crowd to sleep. The Undertaker
has been overdue for retirement since 2001, and JBL just isn't Championship
material. I like his character (JBL) but I still can't believe him as WWE
Champion. However with things going the way they are on Smack Down, the
ideal finish for this match in my mind would be to see Taker win by DQ or
count out. If this were to happen I would probably be pleased. However if
he wins the belt I will ban Smack Down again! How can you have such a poor
build up to a title match only to give the strap to a Part-Time employee?!
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: JBL
Who should win: JBL
Analysis: Opposite of Orton/Benoit and predictable for all the wrong reasons.
I won't be surprised if a man who likes to repeat his name and can't wrestle
debuts here. It's a horrible main event, that will probably surprise you
in the ring, but luckily isn't the gist of the entire card. Don't ask for
logic on Smackdown, but Orlando Jordan should already have a match on this
card, but a lot of things should've happened for this card that didn't.
Josh Fox:
Who will win: Undertaker
Who should win: Neither
Analysis: Eddie, Eddie, Eddie....
World Championship
Chris Benoit vs. Randy Orton
Dastardly Dave:
Who will win: Randy Orton
Who should win: Randy Orton
Analysis: I think that people are overlooking this match. Many people dont
appreciate a pure talent like Orton. He has the in-ring skills. Is great
on the mic. Can make people hate him without opening his mouth. And we need
a heel to run with the belt that isnt HHH. I think its Orton's time. You've
gotta strike while the iron is hot. Atleast he'd be a better champion than
JBL. Orton has credibility and has beaten some big names in the business.
Its time to rise up and be the champion that he so deserves to be.
Captain Lou:
Who will win: Randy Orton
Who should win: Randy Orton
Analysis: As much as I love seeing Benoit as champion, this is a win that
could truly shake the WWE up for the better. Also, don't you think Vince
would love to wipe out Lesnar's claim to youngest champ ever? In any case,
an Orton win could lead to a complex feud among Evolution that would actually
be interesting. As for Benoit, I'm not quite sure what their plans would
be for him.
Eddie:
Who will win: Randy Orton
Who should win: Randy Orton
Analysis: This is perhaps the toughest choice I have ever had to make in
all of my life, when it comes to predicting wrestling matches, or judging
storyline decisions. Randy Orton is very young, and you might argue that
it's too soon for him to be World Champion. Not only did I used to argue
that, I was a very strong supporter of it. However, now I'm split. Seeing
as how he has been pushed, and how much he has improved inside the ring,
I realize that he has the opportunity to breathe a lot of life into the
RAW product, that's missing. Benoit was able to do that after winning the
belt, but shortly thereafter it was all done with. I see a longer period
of prosperity here, because an obvious feud with Triple H is in the wings.
Alex Wipper:
Who will win: Chris Benoit
Who should win: Chris Benoit
Analysis: Chris Benoit will probably carry the match due to the lack of
anything spectacular that has come from Orton. It should be a nice match
to watch but definately not the match of the night. Orton should not win
due to the fact that he has not even close to the calibur of a Benoit or
a Guerrero.
Jed:
Who will win: Randy Orton
Who should win: Randy Orton
Analysis: I don't like Randy Orton. I don't think he's quite polished enough
to be a champion yet. However, he's not exactly "bad", and his
mic skills are better than Benoit's. I like having Benoit as the champ,
as it really justified his excessively long quest to be the best. I think
he should hang on to it a little bit longer, but knowing WWE, they'll just
take it from him and banish him to midcard hell. Either way, I do expect
Orton to win, and later defend the belt against Triple H at Wrestlemania.
I only said Orton should win as it would progress some storylines, which
is all WWE cares about anymore.
Brad Freeman:
Who will win: Randy Orton
Who should win: Randy Orton
Analysis: This is one of the tougher matches to call in my mind. Chris Benoit
has had his run as Champion and I can't help but think that he has dropped
the ball, in some way. It isn't really his fault, because he has been force
fed Trips for months and hasn't really done anything else (with the exception
of the brief feud with Kane). Orton has become a big star in my mind and
even though he may be too young for the title, I will definitely be excited
to see a new heel as Champion for RAW.
Trevor Hunnicutt:
Who will win: Randy Orton
Who should win: Chris Benoit
Analysis: The match of Randy Orton's career and the pressure is on both.
I'm expecting match of the night here. It's sad that this match has to take
place at the expense of Chris Benoit and his title reign, but that's WWE.
[If you'd like to read more on this feud, I have a new Figure
Four Leglock column up, with a lot of reflections on the feud.]
Josh Fox:
Who will win: Chris Benoit
Who should win: Chris Benoit
Analysis: Chris Benoit is still running hot, and Orton is still a little
too green to be running around with the Main Strap.
Roundtable Participants
Dastardly Dave, writer of Dastardly
Doings
Captain Lou Corsaro, writer of Captain
Lou's View
Eddie, writer of News &
Analysis
Alex Wipper, writer of The
Fan's Perspective
Jed "The Destroyer" Cournoyer, writer of The
Destroyer's Ruins
Brad Freeman, PPV Analyst - The
Critique
Trevor Hunnicutt, writer of The
Figure Four Leglock
Josh Fox, writer of The
Inner View
